Paleo during pregnancy

I got told today that I am essentially starving my baby by eating paleo during pregnancy. I feel pretty upset by the comment. Was upset and went out for dinner and ate a bowl of pasta, garlic bread and a chocolate tart. Not things I eat anymore and I feel physically and mentally AWFUL. I feel like I can't think clearly. Ugh. Anyone else eating paleo while pregnant?

I got told today that I am essentially starving my baby by eating paleo during pregnancy. I feel pretty upset by the comment. Was upset and went out for dinner and ate a bowl of pasta, garlic bread and a chocolate tart. Not things I eat anymore and I feel physically and mentally AWFUL. I feel like I can't think clearly. Ugh. Anyone else eating paleo while pregnant?

Thats like saying eating healthy starves your baby. People ate unprocessed food all the time before processed food existed. Ignorant people say things all the time. People tell me all the time that by exercising I am hurting my baby. Really??? Don't listen to them. Congrats to you for being healthy and not cramming your face with big macs, pizzas, and corn dogs and using the excuse that you're pregnant.

Thats like saying eating healthy starves your baby. People ate unprocessed food all the time before processed food existed. Ignorant people say things all the time. People tell me all the time that by exercising I am hurting my baby. Really??? Don't listen to them. Congrats to you for being healthy and not cramming your face with big macs, pizzas, and corn dogs and using the excuse that you're pregnant.

Please don't listen to that nonsense. I'm strictly paleo and 38 weeks pregnant, you are giving you're baby everything it needs and more. Screw what people say and do what you feel is right for you and yours.

Please don't listen to that nonsense. I'm strictly paleo and 38 weeks pregnant, you are giving you're baby everything it needs and more. Screw what people say and do what you feel is right for you and yours.

If you need more guidance along with some research/history to back your decision to "eat real foods" check out Chris Kresser's The Healthy Baby Code. Yes it's an investment, but it's very good information. Eating real foods (paleo) is probably one of the best things you can do for your baby. I've been paleo for almost 4 years, had no problem conceiving (when i decided i was now ready) and am now 28 weeks.Too often people think pregnancy = eat whatever because you're eating for two. More and more of the research out there seems to say the more junk people eat when pregnant = the more health issues for that baby/child. I challenge anyone to tell me that processed foods are necessary for me and my unborn child! Here's one study of note: http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/early/2011/05/03/ajcn.110.001248.full.pdfFriends of mine were all paleo during their pregnancies and have given birth to beautiful, healthy, full-term babies!!

If you need more guidance along with some research/history to back your decision to "eat real foods" check out Chris Kresser's The Healthy Baby Code. Yes it's an investment, but it's very good information. Eating real foods (paleo) is probably one of the best things you can do for your baby. I've been paleo for almost 4 years, had no problem conceiving (when i decided i was now ready) and am now 28 weeks.Too often people think pregnancy = eat whatever because you're eating for two. More and more of the research out there seems to say the more junk people eat when pregnant = the more health issues for that baby/child. I challenge anyone to tell me that processed foods are necessary for me and my unborn child! Here's one study of note: http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/early/2011/05/03/ajcn.110.001248.full.pdfFriends of mine were all paleo during their pregnancies and have given birth to beautiful, healthy, full-term babies!!

Thanks for all of the replies. A friend told me this after discussing my diet during pregnancy with her naturopath, so I'm not sure how to take it. I know he is very pro paleo and low carb and very anti processed, high carb foods. He's told her that being in a state of ketosis, which is probably likely while eating paleo, would essentially mean I'm starving my baby. To my knowledge though, the concern with ketosis and pregnancy is not that it starves the baby, but that there's not been any conclusive study on how ketones are passed to the baby and what effect that might have. Anyone care to correct me? I KNOW that paleo is the healthiest diet I could possibly follow - I've never felt better than when I eat paleo - but I suppose the ketosis factor has thrown me and made me question things.

Thanks for all of the replies. A friend told me this after discussing my diet during pregnancy with her naturopath, so I'm not sure how to take it. I know he is very pro paleo and low carb and very anti processed, high carb foods. He's told her that being in a state of ketosis, which is probably likely while eating paleo, would essentially mean I'm starving my baby. To my knowledge though, the concern with ketosis and pregnancy is not that it starves the baby, but that there's not been any conclusive study on how ketones are passed to the baby and what effect that might have. Anyone care to correct me? I KNOW that paleo is the healthiest diet I could possibly follow - I've never felt better than when I eat paleo - but I suppose the ketosis factor has thrown me and made me question things.

Lovemy4kids, the paleo diet is basically eating the way our Paleolithic ancestors did prior to the agricultural revolution. It is a grain, sugar and dairy free diet that provides us with everything our bodies need and very, very little of what it doesn't. It's a spectacular diet - and that's coming from someone who had done Weight Watchers, Lite N Easy, Jenny Craig, been vegan, been vegetarian, and was raised on nothing but processed foods. Look into it. You'll feel amazing!

Lovemy4kids, the paleo diet is basically eating the way our Paleolithic ancestors did prior to the agricultural revolution. It is a grain, sugar and dairy free diet that provides us with everything our bodies need and very, very little of what it doesn't. It's a spectacular diet - and that's coming from someone who had done Weight Watchers, Lite N Easy, Jenny Craig, been vegan, been vegetarian, and was raised on nothing but processed foods. Look into it. You'll feel amazing!

The only way your body would go into ketosis is if you avoided all carbs. Just make sure to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and you'll be fine. Really, some people eat paleo because they don't have a choice (allergic to all grains) and they have healthy pregnancies. I for one had to give up grains to get pregnant.

The only way your body would go into ketosis is if you avoided all carbs. Just make sure to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and you'll be fine. Really, some people eat paleo because they don't have a choice (allergic to all grains) and they have healthy pregnancies. I for one had to give up grains to get pregnant.

Agree with pp - unless you are severely limiting your intake of fruits and vegetables, it's actually hard to go into ketosis. A common misconception is that paleo = low carb. If you are eating plenty of fruits and veggies (which I hope you are) you likely aren't in ketosis. You can buy ketone test strips to double check. A big thing I've told other moms at our gym is that pregnancy isn't the time to focus on the scale - so don't be calorie restricting during pregnancy. But also, know that what we ingest can impact the health of our babies. The thing to be aware of is that lots of women eating paleo get improperly diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I for one am refusing the oral glucose tolerance test, and they will be doing a post prandial blood test after I eat my normal meal. I do not wish to drink a corn derived sugary drink. Here is a link on the topic with lots of good comments from experts in the paleo community. (note there is some bad language!!) http://freetheanimal.com/2010/11/gestational-diabetes-and-paleo-you-horny-women-you.html

Agree with pp - unless you are severely limiting your intake of fruits and vegetables, it's actually hard to go into ketosis. A common misconception is that paleo = low carb. If you are eating plenty of fruits and veggies (which I hope you are) you likely aren't in ketosis. You can buy ketone test strips to double check. A big thing I've told other moms at our gym is that pregnancy isn't the time to focus on the scale - so don't be calorie restricting during pregnancy. But also, know that what we ingest can impact the health of our babies. The thing to be aware of is that lots of women eating paleo get improperly diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I for one am refusing the oral glucose tolerance test, and they will be doing a post prandial blood test after I eat my normal meal. I do not wish to drink a corn derived sugary drink. Here is a link on the topic with lots of good comments from experts in the paleo community. (note there is some bad language!!) http://freetheanimal.com/2010/11/gestational-diabetes-and-paleo-you-horny-women-you.html

I would consider adding in some whole grains and decreasing the high fat meats, if only for better vitamin and mineral content/absorption. Otherwise a paleo diet high in veggies and low in processed crap/dairy sounds like a great pregnancy diet if you can tolerate more grains! I'm personally whole foods plant based vegan. But I get it.

I would consider adding in some whole grains and decreasing the high fat meats, if only for better vitamin and mineral content/absorption. Otherwise a paleo diet high in veggies and low in processed crap/dairy sounds like a great pregnancy diet if you can tolerate more grains! I'm personally whole foods plant based vegan. But I get it.

I was 80% Paleo while pregnant. I did cut down on fat (bc I wasn't able to work out as hard) and added some complex carbs (bc my body really needed it). I think if it's good for you, and you feel good, it's good for baby. Keep at it!

I was 80% Paleo while pregnant. I did cut down on fat (bc I wasn't able to work out as hard) and added some complex carbs (bc my body really needed it). I think if it's good for you, and you feel good, it's good for baby. Keep at it!

Carbohydrates, stored as glycogen, are our primarily energy sources. Think of it like "snack food" that you don't need to prepare to eat. Fat and protein can be used as primary fuel sources, but our bodies only use them when glycogen levels are depleted. To use these sources, our bodies must access them, and then convert them to a usable form.

Glycogen depletion happens naturally after about 20 minutes of aerobic exercise, or when we choose to eat very low carbohydrate diets. Ketosis does not occur as a result of exercise induced glycogen depletion. Ketosis is NOT a healthy state for your body, especially during pregnancy and postpartum.

During pregnancy our body's energy usage shifts profoundly. Our glycogen system is used to support the developing baby and infrastructure of pregnancy. (Baby takes from out protein, minerals and vitamins stores too.) Our bodies then switch to primarily stored fat metabolism. If you are truly ketonic, but are taking in enough calories, then I doubt that your baby's development will be effected, as your baby/pregnancy gets first priority for energy and nutrients. But this would be a very stressful event on your body and clearly NOT advisable.

The real question is: are you ketonic? If you are eating a broad array of fresh fruits and vegetables, which are carbohydrate sources, then most likely you are not ketonic. (You can buy urine test strips to find out.) If you eat no grains, then you need to make sure that you supplement in order to take in enough B vitamins.

Humans have been eating whole grains for thousands and thousand of years. We are well adapted to this food source. What we are not adapted to are food sources that contain highly processed grains that come packaged with lots of fats, sugar and salt. These are low quality foods, which provide little nutrients per calorie. Unfortunately, they are abundant and cheap in our society.

BeFit-Mom

Carbohydrates, stored as glycogen, are our primarily energy sources. Think of it like "snack food" that you don't need to prepare to eat. Fat and protein can be used as primary fuel sources, but our bodies only use them when glycogen levels are depleted. To use these sources, our bodies must access them, and then convert them to a usable form.

Glycogen depletion happens naturally after about 20 minutes of aerobic exercise, or when we choose to eat very low carbohydrate diets. Ketosis does not occur as a result of exercise induced glycogen depletion. Ketosis is NOT a healthy state for your body, especially during pregnancy and postpartum.

During pregnancy our body's energy usage shifts profoundly. Our glycogen system is used to support the developing baby and infrastructure of pregnancy. (Baby takes from out protein, minerals and vitamins stores too.) Our bodies then switch to primarily stored fat metabolism. If you are truly ketonic, but are taking in enough calories, then I doubt that your baby's development will be effected, as your baby/pregnancy gets first priority for energy and nutrients. But this would be a very stressful event on your body and clearly NOT advisable.

The real question is: are you ketonic? If you are eating a broad array of fresh fruits and vegetables, which are carbohydrate sources, then most likely you are not ketonic. (You can buy urine test strips to find out.) If you eat no grains, then you need to make sure that you supplement in order to take in enough B vitamins.

Humans have been eating whole grains for thousands and thousand of years. We are well adapted to this food source. What we are not adapted to are food sources that contain highly processed grains that come packaged with lots of fats, sugar and salt. These are low quality foods, which provide little nutrients per calorie. Unfortunately, they are abundant and cheap in our society.

With all due respect to BeFitMom - carbohydrates don't have to be your primary fuel source. Here's a link from Mark's Daily Apple that explains more: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/a-metabolic-paradigm-shift-fat-carbs-human-body-metabolism/#axzz26sPwhjcIFurthermore, with regards to vitamin B deficiency (particularly b12), it's very well established that the only foods that are high natural sources of B12 are animal sources. This is why many vegetarians and vegans struggle with this deficiency (this deficiency can sometimes be masked by folate intake). Grains on their own do not contain B12 unless they are fortified. Additionally, higher intake of fortified foods does not mean higher absorption. Bioavailability is a key concept in what we actually absorb. Take calcium as an example: As a country we have the most calcium fortified foods, and yet we have some of the highest rates of osteoporosis and osteo arthritis. Personally, I try to get as much of my nutrients as possible from foods which naturally contain such things! here's a link on food sources high in B12 if it's of interest! http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/foods-high-in-vitamin-B12.php

With all due respect to BeFitMom - carbohydrates don't have to be your primary fuel source. Here's a link from Mark's Daily Apple that explains more: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/a-metabolic-paradigm-shift-fat-carbs-human-body-metabolism/#axzz26sPwhjcIFurthermore, with regards to vitamin B deficiency (particularly b12), it's very well established that the only foods that are high natural sources of B12 are animal sources. This is why many vegetarians and vegans struggle with this deficiency (this deficiency can sometimes be masked by folate intake). Grains on their own do not contain B12 unless they are fortified. Additionally, higher intake of fortified foods does not mean higher absorption. Bioavailability is a key concept in what we actually absorb. Take calcium as an example: As a country we have the most calcium fortified foods, and yet we have some of the highest rates of osteoporosis and osteo arthritis. Personally, I try to get as much of my nutrients as possible from foods which naturally contain such things! here's a link on food sources high in B12 if it's of interest! http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/foods-high-in-vitamin-B12.php

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